1 . Screen time is often considered the enemy when it comes to teaching kids to be active. However, a new research found that for 9 and 10 years old children greater social media use was related to some positive effects, including increased physical activity, less family conflict (冲突) and fewer sleep problems.
The findings come from an analysis of data from about 4,500 young people and their parents collected by the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study. The study gathered information about how young people’s brains develop.
In the study, children self reported activities like watching TV, texting or visiting social media sites — and the time spent on each. They were also asked about whether they play mature (成年的) video games. They rated their time on them as never, once in a while and all the time. Kids and parents report on family conflict. Parents also kept track of how well the kids slept and filled out a checklist that assessed (评定) their children’s behavior.
The results haven’t been published yet, but are being presented Tuesday at the Research Society on Alcoholism in San Diego. Previous research has been done. largely in older kids or teenagers with less focus on younger kids. Communities and social networks can have beneficial effects, so kids who are using social media to build connections may see positive outcomes.
Do these findings mean that parents should ban TVs and sign their kids up for Twitter? Probably not. Psychologist Chris Ferguson of Stetson University says that the differences identified in the research are small.
1. What does the passage mainly about?| A．More screen time is needed by kids. |
| B．Screen time is the enemy of teaching kids to be active. |
| C．Parents should ban TVs and sign their kids up for Twitter. |
| D．A look at social media may have possible benefits for kids. |
| A．They carried out interviews. | B．They asked kids and parents to report. |
| C．They got the data from other scientists. | D．They downloaded the data from the Internet. |
| A．Objective. | B．Subjective. | C．Supportive. | D．Doubtful.. |
| A．A novel. | B．A travel guide. | C．A news report. | D．A book review. |
2 . He was the last person who should have run into a burning building—he had lung disease. But that didn’t stop him. Michael Surrell and his wife was parking when they got a call from their daughter: “The house next door is on fire!” He went to investigate.
Though the fire department had been called, Surrell ran inside. The thick smoke burned his eyes and made it impossible to breathe. The conditions were life-threatening for Surrell.
After a few minutes, he went outside to catch his breath. Taking a deep breath, he went in again. The house was similar to his, so he made it to the second floor. He couldn’t see anything. Then a soft moan (呻吟声) came. Still unable to see, Surrell crawled (爬行) toward the sound, feeling around for any sign of the trapped.
Finally, he touched something. He pulled the kid toward him and held her into his arms and stood. He fought through the smoke and ran into the blackness. The next thing he knew, he was at the front door, then outside. Surrell put Tiara down on the porch. He started CPR. Soon a cough came from Tiara’s throat. Surrell gave five more breaths. She coughed again, opened her eyes and took a breath on her own.
Surrell woke up in the hospital days later, having suffered severe burns to his lungs. He spent a week in the hospital. The fire worsened Surrell’s condition, and he feels the effects even two years later. “It’s a small price to pay,” he says. “I’d do it again without a second thought.”
1. What was Surrell doing when he got to know the fire?| A．He was parking. | B．He was walking with his wife. |
| C．He was washing his car. | D．He was talking with his daughter. |
| A．Surrell saved Tiara at his first attempt. |
| B．Surrell never regret carrying out his deed. |
| C．Surrell called the fire department before running inside. |
| D．Surrell saw Tiara on the second floor and carried her outside. |
| A．Kind and devoted. | B．Brave and devoted. | C．Generous and kind. | D．Considerate and devoted. |
| A．A Big Fire Broke out | B．A Man Carried out CPR to Save a Girl |
| C．The Last Man Saved Another Person | D．Surrell Suffered Severe Burns to His Lungs |
3 . Natalie Doan always feels lucky to live in Rockaway. Living near the beach, Natalie can see the ocean and hear the waves from her house. “The ocean makes Rockaway special,” she says.
On October 29, 2012, that ocean turned fierce. Hurricane Sandy hit Rockaway hard. Natalie’s family escaped to Brooklyn before the city’s bridges closed. When they returned the next day, they found their neighborhood destroyed. Many of Natalie’s friends had lost their homes and were living far away. People were suffering, especially the elderly. Natalie’s school was damaged, so she had to temporarily attend a school in Brooklyn.
In the following days, the people helping Rockaway inspired Natalie. Volunteers came with clothing and food. Neighbors devoted their spare time to helping others rebuild. Teenagers climbed dozens of stairs to deliver water and food to elderly people.
“My mom tells me I can’t control what happens,” Natalie says, “but I can choose how I deal with it.” Natalie chose to help. She created a website page, matching survivors in need with donors wanting to help. Natalie posted information about a boy who lost his baseball card collection. Within days, his collection was found.
In the coming months, her website page helped lots of kids: Christopher, who received a new basketball; Charlie, who got a new keyboard. Natalie also worked with other organizations to bring needed supplies to Rockaway. Her efforts made her a famous person. Last April, she was invited to the White House.
Today, the scars (创痕) of destruction are still seen in Rockaway, but hope is in the air. The streets are clear and many homes have been rebuilt. “I can’t imagine living anywhere but Rockaway,” Natalie declares.
1. What did Natalie find when she returned to Rockaway after the hurricane?| A．Some friends lost their lives. | B．Her neighborhood was in ruins. |
| C．Her school moved to Brooklyn. | D．The elderly were free from suffering. |
| A．They rebuilt their houses. | B．They brought them water and food. |
| C．They cleaned their houses. | D．They bought them clothing and food. |
| A．There is still hope. | B．Hope is flying in the sky. | C．People lost all hope. | D．The air is fresh and clean. |
| A．Practice makes perfect. | B．A friend in need is a friend indeed. |
| C．East or west, home is the best. | D．Little people can make a big difference. |
4 . An old saying goes that “Good fences make good neighbors.” With so many folks
In Minneapolis, the Olson family lives next door to 99-year-old Mary. Although Mary’s daughter
Over time, Mary watched through the chain-link as Benjamin learned to walk, talk, and
While others might
When the lockdown was lifted, Benjamin
In August, when Mary celebrates her 100th birthday, the one thing she won’t be wishing for is a
| A．suspected | B．invited | C．allowed | D．forced |
| A．relatives | B．friends | C．securities | D．communities |
| A．calls | B．rests | C．visits | D．prays |
| A．wearing on | B．dying down | C．put up | D．dealt with |
| A．constantly | B．surprisingly | C．eventually | D．immediately |
| A．attitudes | B．knowledge | C．ages | D．belief |
| A．successful | B．discouraged | C．depressed | D．delighted |
| A．game | B．puzzle | C．video | D．role |
| A．show | B．buy | C．fetch | D．pass |
| A．point | B．wonder | C．worry | D．laugh |
| A．easily | B．carefully | C．simply | D．possibly |
| A．relationship | B．fence | C．ball | D．difference |
| A．inspired | B．joined | C．expected | D．comforted |
| A．peace | B．heart | C．present | D．hand |
| A．newest | B．wisest | C．youngest | D．best |
5 . The good news is that more people bought electric vehicles (EVs) in 2020. The bad news is that sport utility (多用途的) vehicles (SUVs) continued to grow in popularity, too. “The fall in oil consumption due to the first trend was completely canceled out by the second,” said Laura Cozzi, an officer at the International Energy Agency (JEA).
Between 2010 and 2020, global carbon dioxide emissions (排放) from conventional cars fell by nearly 35 billion tons, due to reasons such as fuel efficiency improvements as well as the switch to electric cars. Emissions from SUVs rose by more than 50 billion tons. “While the growth in EVs is encouraging, the boom in SUVs is heart-breaking,” says Peters at the Cicero Climate Research Centre in Norway.
There are many reasons for the growing popularity of SUVs. For example, rising economic boom in many countries means more people are able to afford them. Some people see them as status symbols. Also, SUVs are heavily advertised by car-makers, whose profit is higher on these vehicles. Some countries, including France, have introduced plans under which more taxes are paid on heavier cars. But Peters thinks that people who are rich enough to afford SUVs won’t be deterred by slightly higher taxes. “There are now some electric SUVs available, but I hope one day you will see more electric vehicles brought to the SUV market,” says Peters.
Even if it happens, switching to electric SUVs isn’t a good solution. Due to their size and bigger batteries, it takes more resources to build electric SUVs, and they consume around 15 percent more electricity. That means higher emissions unless the electricity comes entirely from renewable sources, and higher electricity demand makes it harder to green the electricity supply.
1. What can we infer from Paragraph 2?| A．Scientists should devote themselves to improving fuel efficiency. |
| B．Electric vehicles will certainly take the place of sport utility vehicles. |
| C．The popularity of SUVs destroys some efforts at environmental protection. |
| D．The emission of carbon dioxide of motor vehicles has hit a new low. |
| A．Encouraged. | B．Blocked. |
| C．Removed. | D．Connected. |
| A．SUVs are discounted heavily. |
| B．SUVs are often advertised by car producers. |
| C．SUVs are taxed at a lower rate in some countries. |
| D．SUVs consume fewer resources than other vehicles. |
| A．The electric SUVs should be made smaller and lighter. |
| B．The electric SUVs are a good guarantee for less pollution. |
| C．More electric SUVs don’t necessarily mean “environment-friendly”. |
| D．Future electric SUVs will be powered with completely green energy. |
6 . I was gating ready to head to my daughter’s college to bring her home for New Year. The
Usually a three-hour round
I tried pulling out again and again but could only hear
Just as a famous writer Henry
| A．snow | B．rain | C．fog | D．shower |
| A．rescue | B．flight | C．search | D．trip |
| A．shorter | B．faster | C．longer | D．easier |
| A．clear | B．match | C．consider | D．find |
| A．even | B．further | C．finally | D．immediately |
| A．moving | B．causing | C．throwing | D．holding |
| A．untrustworthy | B．unfriendly | C．patient | D．inexperienced |
| A．stop | B．brake | C．work | D．hit |
| A．spinning | B．running | C．flat | D．broken |
| A．curiously | B．hopefully | C．helplessly | D．surprisingly |
| A．move | B．trap | C．jump | D．increase |
| A．lady | B．truck | C．car | D．figure |
| A．suddenly | B．surely | C．eventually | D．simply |
| A．makes | B．puts | C．helps | D．gets |
| A．safe | B．different | C．pleasant | D．dangerous |
7 . The Mississippi State University Extension Service is offering the Master Gardener training and certification online again this year,
Participants take 40 hours of instruction in horticulture and related topics to become expert volunteers. Learn more and register for the first Master Gardener class of 2022 from February 1 to February 28 at http://msuext.ms/mg. Instruction for all classes is online and self-paced. The online class material is offered from March 15 to May 15.
About Volunteering
“The Master Gardener program trains active volunteers who exchange the 40 hours of educational training they receive for 40 hours of volunteer service within one year of their training,” said Jeff Wilson, a horticulture specialist of the Master Gardener program. “These Master Gardeners continue to be assets to their communities as, in future years, they continue to receive training and spend a minimum of 20 community service hours a year to maintain their certified status.”
The volunteer work of Master Gardeners helps local Extension offices reach a broader audience than is possible through just the efforts of Extension agents. Volunteers take on a variety of community beautification projects and extend the educational arm of the university to the public by providing horticultural information based on university research and recommendations.
“Master Gardener volunteers experience the personal satisfaction of serving their community, gaining horticultural expertise and connecting with their local gardening community,” Wilson said.
Fees
The cost for Master Gardener training is $ 125 for those who want to become certified volunteers and provide 40 hours of service. For $ 200, the same material is available for those not interested in the volunteer service component.
For More Information
For questions about the Master Gardener program, contact Jeff Wilson at 662-566-8019 or jeff.wilson @ msstate.edu.
1. When can the participants receive the online class material this year?| A．On February 1. | B．On February 28. | C．On April 15. | D．OnMay30. |
| A．Provide service in communities. | B．Receive one-year-long training. |
| C．Instruct students in universities. | D．Donate money to local offices. |
| A．Choose another learning material. | B．Pay more money for the training. |
| C．Get permission from Jeff Wilson. | D．Complete a beautification project. |
8 . Some Sightseeing Tours
Tour A: Bath & Stonehenge, £39
It includes entrance fees to the ancient Roman bathrooms and Stonehenge. Visit the city with over 2,000 years of history and Bath Abbey, the Royal Crescent and the Costume Museum. Stonehenge is one of the world’s most famous monuments dating back over 4,000 years.
Tour B: Oxford & Stratford, £36
It includes entrance fees to the University St Mary’s Church Tower and Anne Hathaway’s house. Oxford: It includes a guided tour of England’s oldest university city and colleges. Look over the “city of dreaming spires (尖顶)” from St Mary’s Church Tower. Stratford: It includes a guided tour exploring much of the Shakespeare wonder.
Tour C: Windsor Castle & Hampton Court, £37
It includes entrance fees to Hampton Court Palace, a guided tour of Windsor and Hampton Court, Henry Ⅷ’s favourite palace. Free time to visit Windsor Castle (entrance fees not included). With 500 years of history, Hampton Court was once the home of four kings and one queen. Now this former royal palace is open to the public as a major tourist attraction. Visit the palace and its various historic gardens, which include the famous maze (迷宫) where it is easy to get lost!
Tour D: Cambridge, £33
It includes entrance fees to the Tower of Saint Mary the Great. It also includes a guided tour of Cambridge, the famous university town, and the gardens of the 18th century.
1. Which tour is the most expensive?| A．Tour A. | B．Tour B. | C．Tour C. | D．Tour D. |
| A．They include a free tour of a church. |
| B．They offer a chance to visit some gardens. |
| C．They include a guided tour of a university. |
| D．They encourage visitors to know Shakespeare. |
| A．Meet a king. | B．Visit a palace. | C．Build a maze. | D．Live in a castle. |
Who invented the ATM? There have been
Back in the mid-1960s, James Goodfellow was working
The cash machine has become a world-conquering piece of technology. There are now 3 million ATMs worldwide, with
10 . In 2010, my mother-in-law gave me her rather simple but graceful, antique “secretary desk”. The desk easily fit into the tiny room at the top of the stairs. I felt so secure, and confident when I sat down and began each writing session. Despite the desk’s appeal, its limited storage capacity meant that I often put file folders and books on the small floor space around me. After each writing session, I painstakingly gathered the tools of the trade and placed them on a nearby shelf until the next session.
A few years into my writing journey, we moved into a bigger home and I acquired my own office. My husband, Bill offered on more than one occasion to buy me a new desk for my office, but I ignored his offer.
One day, we stopped at the local office supply store. Bill found what he thought was the perfect desk for me. “I want to buy this for you, sweetie. My writer needs a bigger desk. ”He hugged me.
“Thanks, but I don’t want a bigger desk!” I said.
“Why don’t you want a bigger desk?” he said. “You must be afraid of something.”
“I’m not afraid of anything,” I said. “Like I said, I really like my little desk. So don’t ask me again.”
He didn’t.
A few weeks later, while working in my new office. I looked around at the folders, books and papers lying all over my office floor but couldn’t find what needed to meet a contest deadline. My heart raced. I looked around my office. The room basically swallowed the tiny desk, making it look slightly out of place. Maybe I did need a bigger desk. Was Bill right? Was I afraid of something?
Unable to write, I pulled c. JoyBell C.’s book of poetry, All Things Dance Like Dragonflies (蜻蜓), from the bookshelf. I flipped through its pages, and her words about faith jumped off the page into my heart. She talked about how she had trained herself to love the feeling of not knowing where she was going, and just trusting that as she opened up her wings and flew off in an unknown direction, things would work out.
At that moment, I recognized that a bigger desk symbolized bigger possibilities, stepping out in faith, and leaving my comfort zone.
1. What was the limitation of the “secretary desk”?| A．It was too old to be functional. |
| B．It competed with the shelf for room. |
| C．It prevented the author focusing on writing. |
| D．It was a bit small in size. |
| A．After she was stuck in a mess. |
| B．When she finished writing a book. |
| C．When she moved into a bigger house. |
| D．After she missed an important contest. |
| A．Unemployment. | B．Loss of inspiration. |
| C．Uncertainty. | D．Lack of trust. |
| A．My Writing Journey | B．On the Wings of Change |
| C．My Lifelong Faith | D．On the Desk of Fate |
